"Direction" of your application

[bigstix808]

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I’ve only applied to d-school once, and I only applied to one school - and needless to say was rejected w/ no interview. It probably had to do with me applying a little “late” (as in late September) I know this wasn’t a good idea, but I didn’t want to just throw money away on applying to many schools I was pretty sure wouldn’t accept me with my credentials at the time (mainly GPA/DAT, although not horrible they were not at my own personal standards and I was not comfortable submitting them). I’m sure this is up for debate but that’s how I felt.

Anyway, this year I will have my masters done (August 2nd baby!!), higher GPA, much better DAT, and may even have a backpacking/climbing trip to Croatia/Italy in there. My question to you guys/gals (mainly ones that got accepted) what approach did you take your application in; you know in all the personal statements and so forth? Did you go for the more “I did lots of stuff and was in lots of clubs and travelled to lost of countries” –OR- did you go for the more reserved approach and tell about whom you were as a person with all activities aside, you know like more-or-less how the world sees you as a person? I know there needs to be a nice blend of both, but I can’t seem to pull it all together. I tried the first approach thinking that the adcoms just wanted to see what I’ve done throughout my life , but now I’m starting to see that none of that matters if you don't grow from them. I my self have learned many life lessons from all the stuff that I have done and accomplished, and have realized who I was deep down as person over the past few years.

Any thoughts?? Thanks guys

 

[btizzels]

Well your application should have all your activities / achievements already in it, but the personal statement should be ..... well personal... Meaning you might want to take one or two of the activities and discuss them in more detail and how it pertains to you wanting to be a dentist. Stay positive with your PS but not to the point of arrogance. I kinda did a short autobiography on how different things in my life led me to want to pursue dentistry. Word of advice.....start writing your Personal Statement now for the 09 cycle... and have as many people as possible review it.... Hope this helps

 

[rollypolly]

I think there are a lot of different formats of personal statements that could work. It all just depends on how you write it. My opinion is that the format of your personal statement should emphasize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses (but not ignore them).

I think if you are the type of person that has done 10,000 things in your life that are *meaningful* write about all of them. If you have done one thing in your life that is meaningful, then write about that. It's just harder I think to write about ALL of your life experiences and make it seem like they have ALL made a significant impact on your life and your career decision.

I chose to write my personal statement on one defining experience in my life because it was something that really changed the course of my life and helped me make the decision to become a dentist. But, if you don't have one defining experience in your life, then that may be hard to do.

So, I would say either do a sort of timeline where you talk about several experiences that all collaboratively made an impact in your life and your career decision, or tell a story about one defining experience. Just my opinion... hope it helps!

 

[bigstix808]

thanks for the quick feedback. i had actually planned on starting a ruff outline of all that stuff, and getting my application prepared here in the next 2 weeks or so.